LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Signature Sports Auction #705  / 

19526

1903-04 Sam Mertes Cabinet Photograph by Horner

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
1903-04 Sam Mertes Cabinet Photograph by Horner
<B>1903-04 Sam Mertes Cabinet Photograph by Horner, Type 1.</B></I> The masterful portraiture of this early cabinet photograph would be unmistakably recognizable as the work of Carl Horner, even if this fact wasn't verified by his mark at lower right. For the uninitiated, Horner rates as baseball's most collectible turn-of-the-century lensman, and the force behind many of the images found on tobacco and candy cards of the era, most notably Honus Wagner's portrait on the million-dollar T206 issue. This razor-sharp shot of New York Giants outfielder likewise found its way into the card collecting hobby, appearing in the 1903-04 Breisch Williams Type 1 (E107) set. In fact, the penciled editing marks still visible at the borders strongly suggest that the card was designed from this very print, as the dimensions match up exactly. Vintage pencil notations on verso are further editing notes, and identify the subject as "Sandow" Mertes, Left Fielder, NY Nationals." The nickname "Sandow," incidentally, relates to a renowned strongman at the time. Chipping of the mount along the right side and a couple partial fingerprints to the blank background of the image are all that can be noted in terms of condition issues, leaving the portrait itself entirely unmolested. A magnificent period piece that captures the spirit of the early game like few others can.
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